A MUM and daughter forced for flee war-torn Ukraine have been helped to start a new life with a Cheshire family.

Clare and Dominic Booth felt compelled to open their Alderley Edge home to refugees after watching distressing images of the Russian bombardment on television.

The pair contacted Iryna and her 10 year-old daughter Kate, who were forced to leave their home town of Kherson in March after extensive shelling.

Mum-of-two Clare said: “We saw the pictures on television and felt we had to do something to help.

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“We made contact with Kate and her mum through video calls and began the process of DBS checks before meeting them at Liverpool Airport.

“They seemed so relieved to be here. They have been through such a traumatic time.

“They are a great asset to the family.

“My daughter Alice has a new friend and there is plenty of space in the house.

“They have their own bedroom and bathroom. We love having them here.”

Iryna and Kate have been given two upcycled bikes from Cheshire East Council.

The bikes, which were destined for scrap, have been refurbished and made roadworthy by Ansa and their private sector waste contractor H W Martin.

Deputy council leader Cllr Craig Browne and Cllr Arthur Moran handed over the bikes.

Cllr Browne said: “It’s a real pleasure to be able to help Iryna and Kate in this way.

“They have lost their home in Ukraine and now have a new home in Alderley Edge, where we have some wonderful countryside for them to explore.

“I know that putting out of their minds the awful events in their homeland will be extremely difficult but I hope this new beginning and show of human kindness will bring them comfort.

“We want to do whatever we can to support people going through such a traumatic experience.

“I would like to place on record our thanks to people like Dom, Clare and Alice, their daughter, who have shown incredible kindness in opening up their home to a Ukrainian family.”

Kate is learning English fast and helps to translate for her mum, who is taking regular language lessons.

Kate said: “I miss home, our house, so many bombs because Ukraine army doesn’t want it occupied.

“Here we are not in any danger.

“People in England are so kind and friendly everywhere. We don’t have a car so the bikes will help us to go somewhere.

“It will help mum to get about and find a job.”

Kate now has a place at a local primary school and, through a parish council fund, Cllr Browne helped to find her a school uniform and PE kit.

Cllr Moran, non-executive director of Ansa, added: “I think the idea of restoring and gifting these two bikes is a great way to give Kate and Iryna some further independence and enjoyment while they are in Alderley Edge.

“One day they may want to return to Kherson and, hopefully, this will bring about some happy memories of their time in Cheshire East.”

Wayne Harrold, of waste contractors H W Martin, said: “It’s rewarding to know that two of the bikes left at our recycling centres have been cleaned up, repurposed and handed over in a very worthy cause.

“When we were asked if we could help with this request, we had no hesitation in responding and we hope they will get a lot of enjoyment and use from them.”

Kherson was one of the first areas to be heavily attacked by Russian forces.

The region has suffered extensive shelling and is now controlled by the invading army, although Ukrainian forces are reported to be fighting back.